§ Mr. Anthony Grantasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the number of known cases of leprosy in the United Kingdom in each of the past five years; what percentage of these are receiving treatment in National Health hospitals; if he is satisfied with the facilities available in the National Health Service for treating this disease; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MoyleThirty-five cases of leprosy were registered in 1974. The figures for 1975, 1976, 1977 and 1978 were given in my previous reply to the hon. Member on 2 April 1979.
Information is not available about the percentage of leprosy patients who receive treatment in National Health Service hospitals, but patients who need in-patient treatment for leprosy may be admitted to the Hospital and Homes of St. Giles at East Hanningfield, near Chelmsford, if local National Health Service facilities are not available.